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Nationals Edge Mets 5-4, Mets Drop to League-Worst Record

5/2/2026

Summary

Nationals Stun Mets

The New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals 5-4, falling to a 10-21 record, the league’s worst.
Luke Weaver gave up a home run to CJ Abrams in the eighth, erasing the Mets’ lead.
MJ Melendez hit a three-run homer in the third to tie the game after Freddy Peralta’s error.
Mark Vientos doubled in the sixth, driving in Juan Soto for the go-ahead run.

Summary

Mets Falter

The Mets have lost 17 of their last 20 games, sinking them to the NL East bottom.
Miles Mikolas’s atrocious season and the bullpen’s –32.0% win probability added together contributed to the Mets’ pitching deficiencies.
Defensive miscues, such as Freddy Peralta’s errant throw that allowed a run, helped Nationals seize the lead and increased pressure on manager Carlos Mendoza to make roster moves.

Summary

Mets Defy Deficit

The Mets opened 2026 with a $358.4 million payroll and a 10-21 record, matching the 1914 Braves and 1981 Royals as the only clubs to make the playoffs after such a deficit.
Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Díaz left, replaced by Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien and Devin Williams.
With one-third of the opening lineup injured, David Stearns added relievers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams from the Yankees to revamp bullpen.

Summary

Nationals Take Lead

James Wood robbed Juan Soto of a home run with a leaping catch at the right-field wall.
The Nationals took a 2-0 lead after a wild throw by Freddy Peralta and timely hitting.
Gus Varland earned his second save by retiring Tyrone Taylor and striking out Ronny Mauricio.
Jake Irvin, now 1-3 with a 4.85 ERA, will start Friday as the win left the Mets at a league-worst 10-21 record.

History

Historical Context

In 1914, the Boston Braves surged from last place to a World Series title, finishing the season 94-59. The Braves’ turnaround hinged on pitcher Christy Mathewson’s 23 wins and outfielder Johnny Evers’ 12-run steal streak. Similarly, the 2026 New York Mets, now 10-21, fell to the Washington Nationals as CJ Abrams’ eighth-inning homer erased a lead anchored by Juan Soto. The Mets’ collapse underscores how early-season deficits can jeopardize playoff hopes, echoing the Braves’ rare reversal that remains a benchmark for franchise rebuilds.

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Nationals Stun Mets

The New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals 5-4, falling to a 10-21 record, the league’s worst.
Luke Weaver gave up a home run to CJ Abrams in the eighth, erasing the Mets’ lead.
MJ Melendez hit a three-run homer in the third to tie the game after Freddy Peralta’s error.
Mark Vientos doubled in the sixth, driving in Juan Soto for the go-ahead run.

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